A 6-foot-2, 204-pound kid from the University Tennessee was one of last year’s undrafted Saints gems. Marquez Callaway caught 21 passes for 213 yards before going on injured reserve. He was also involved in special teams with 200 combined yards in the return game and two fumble recoveries off punts.
“It's just football, we still out there playing,” Callaway said when asked about being on special teams as a rookie. “Nothing changed. Just, guys are bigger, guys hit harder. Other than that, we still got a job to do. We still got to go out there and play, we still got to execute.”
Now, year two presents a massive opportunity for the young pass catcher. The Black & Gold’s star receiver Michael Thomas is on the mends following ankle surgery and is expected to miss a good chunk of this season.
“Football still goes on. We still got to play, we still got to execute. Next man up. We got to go in and perform,” said Callaway.
“All of us, are here for a reason. We're all getting paid to play football; do what we love. So, whether anybody gets hurt, next guys got to come in and step up.”
In order to step up, you’ve got to know the material inside and out. Callaway is aware that Sean Payton along with Senior offensive assistant and wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson expect them to comprehend every situation, every play.
“The playbook is very complex and it's a lot,” Callaway said. “If you don't understand it, you’re not going to play. Coach says that all the time. C.J. says it. And, it's pretty much known. So, the young guys are busting their butts learning it. I'm still getting better learning it.”
Callaway also knows availability is vital after a knee injury kept him from having a full season as a rookie. How will year 2 shake out?